Friday, November 20, 2009

"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."

Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and the National League of Cities hosted a forum on city fiscal conditions, the responses being undertaken by creative mayors, and the implications for national economic recovery. Brookings Vice President Bruce Katz and National League of Cities Executive Director Donald Borut opened the event. Following reviews of current and projected trends in local government fiscal conditions by Chris Hoene of the National League of Cities and Steve Cochrane of Moody’s Economy.com, Wall Street Journal economics editor David Wessel moderated a panel of sitting mayors, including Michael Nutter of Philadelphia; Chuck Reed of San José, California; Scott Smith of Mesa, Arizona; and Elaine Walker of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Jared Bernstein, chief economist and economic policy advisor to Vice President Joseph Biden, will close the session. Speakers: Bruce Katz Vice President and Director, Metropolitan Policy Program Brookings Donald Borut Executive Director, National League of Cities Chris Hoene National League of Cities Steve Cochrane Moody’s Economy.com Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia Chuck Reed, Mayor of San Jose, CA Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa, AZ Elaine Walker, Mayor of Bowling Green, KY Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President Moderator: David Wessel, economics editor, Wall Street Journal

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Wayne Besen to Speak on ‘Ex-Gay’ Myth In West Palm Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 17

Event to Counter Notorious ‘Pray Away The Gay’ Therapy Conference

What: – Only three months after the American Psychological Association released a landmark report that claimed attempts to change from gay-to-straight do not work, a notorious “ex-gay” therapy group will come to South Florida to peddle its fraudulent cure for homosexuality. In response to the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality’s (NARTH) infamous conference, Compass will host author and activist Wayne Besen who will give a multi-media presentation on the harm of so-called ex-gay therapy.

Who: Wayne Besen is the founder and Executive Director of Truth Wins Out, an organization that researches ex-gay organizations and the Religious Right. Besen is the author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth”. Earlier this week, Besen was named one of Instinct Magazine’s “Leading Men 2009.” Besen has appeared as a guest on news and political talk shows including: Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Fox’s O’Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes and MSNBC News.

Where: Pray Away the Gay Town Hall Event featuring Wayne Besen

Compass GLCC in Lake Worth201 N. Dixie Highway7:00 – 8:30 PM

Background: NARTH’s conference will be held at the West Palm Beach Marriott, Nov. 20-22. Besen’s talk will kick off a week of protest and educational events that will culminate with the 2009Anti-Heterosexism Conference, sponsored by SoulForce and several other organizations, including Truth Wins Out.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters anti-gay misinformation, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender people. For more information, visit TruthWinsOut.org.

Monday, November 16, 2009

"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea."

Hello Mr. Blackman, I must admit I have only JUST discovered your blog... ?and I think it's great. ?Often I'm out of the loop with what's going on about town, and you certainly have your finger on the pulse! ?I'm sorry you did not win your bid for City Commissioner - - I hope maybe next time around? ?I (you) have convinced my partner to vote for Valera tomorrow. ?Thanks again for your informative blog... ?I will be checking it often. ??- Amelia.-

Click title for link to Shiny Sheet article on erosion causing a condo's foundation to be suspect. Note that they cannot tell if the building is sitting on pilings. If it is on pilings, then the sand can wash away and the building will remain standing. If not, it could fall into the ocean.

Note that if we keep on the path where we are re-doing the Casino building in its current location - east of the coastal construction line - we may be forced to retroactively put the building on pilings. This would add to the cost exponentially and give little other benefit other than meeting current regulations and protecting the same tired building from the effects of erosion.

Something you may find to be a useful resource, click title for link to a site which maps crimes in Palm Beach County - along with other locations nationwide. The information is culled from the PBSO, which may explain why West Palm Beach, who has their own police force for example, is under-represented. It's interactive so that you can adjust location and date preferences, even search by type of crime.

Click the title for an account from earlier this year about Laurence McNamara's political activities in the Town of Palm Beach. If you're the rare person who is on the fence for the run-off election, reading this Palm Beach Daily News op-ed piece will surely land you in the Rene Varela camp.